Royal Navy helicopters and Royal Marines pounced on RFA Argus during boarding operations training alongside Algerian counterparts, say the Royal Navy.

RFA Argus has been on a Mediterranean mission as part of an amphibious task force – known as Littoral Response Group North – spearheaded by HMS Albion.

“The aviation support/casualty ship – with its spacious flight deck for the task group’s air group of Merlin and Wildcat helicopters – has been at the heart of the action as it worked closely with NATO allies and partners across the region. The ship sailed into the historic port of Algiers, where dignitaries from NATO nations and distinguished guest were hosted, before helicopters and Royal Marines sprang into action alongside the Algerian Armed Forces.

Argus became a ‘vessel of interest’ for the maritime interdiction exercises –military speak for complicated boarding operations of various types which involves teams from 42 Commando taking control of a ship. A Wildcat maritime patrol helicopter from 847 Naval Air Squadron was first to enter the fray, sweeping the ocean with her radar to local the target vessel and assess the conditions, laying the foundations of the boarding operation. 

Another Wildcat swooped in with a sniper team from 42 Commando embarked. They provide ‘top cover’ for commandos below, keeping a sharp eye on the battlefield for anything which may threaten their comrades. The snipers are also able to shoot out the engines of drugs-running ‘go-fast’ speed boats. Once the vessel was identified as ‘unfriendly’ the Wildcat crew instructed small boats from 47 Commando, carrying teams from 42 Commando and Algerian counterparts to begin their approach and start boarding. With the flight deck quickly secured, an Algerian Super Lynx and a Wildcat moved in, allowing marines to fast rope onto the deck and overwhelm their ‘enemy’.”

Argus is now in Vigo in Spain for her final port visit before heading home for Christmas, you can read more on this here.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

12 COMMENTS

  1. Who was saying the UK could not enact a solo oil blockade on China in a war? Commandos plus sovereign UK bases near every choke point around the world equals blockade even without surface ships.

    • Until the PLA show up and blow everything out of the water.
      Seriously that seizure of critical choke points also can be used against any country that’s dependant on international sea trade. At the speed the Chinese navy is growing I hope we can all remain peaceful and get along.
      Main issue for any country is having a crazy power hungry leader in charge. No sensible person wants to go to war.
      Advice for Taiwan is make sure you have everything needed to deter an invasion and survive without re supply. I can’t see any support getting to the island if the PLA move on the island. Only option is to be able to defend its self and inflict such loses that it puts the PLA off invading.

      • Some how I can’t see the PLAN being able to launch a task force sufficiently large enough to overwhelm a British territory in the IO or Atlantic. How do you suppose they would support a task force so far from home?

        • From the network of bases the scum-sucking, slimeball ChiComs are scheming to establish throughout Asia and Africa over the next twenty years. Don’t believe me? Just wait…

          • There is a difference between having a lease on a port or a base and having sovereign territory. If you look at what the USA had to do for operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986 to bomb Libya it gives an idea of how difficult it is to operate from bases you don’t own. The US had massive naval and air bases just a few hundred miles from Libya and ended up having to fly a crazy route from the UK through the straits of Gibraltar.

  2. What I find very interesting about the above exercise is that Algeria which has been aligned with Moscow for years is not only training with NATO , but cancelled a military exercise with Moscow just the other day.

  3. Loved a bit of rapid roping!
    Until the one above you stops gripping the rope hard and careens down planting their size 9s on your head!

  4. Would be nice if the aircraft type to unit was correct. NAS 847 fly Wildcat AH1’s without radar or that is an aspiration and to be honest they all should come over to the RN with that mod and then we could use them better as 847 has been the lead on how to operate this craft for the force. The team have always been good at this even way back in the Gulf War.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here